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My hands slide down her back to curve over her ass, which only seems to drive her intensity. Our tongues sweep over each other, our hands roaming and claiming whatever they can find.

My muscles tense with need and frustration. Once again, our terrible timing is going to end in unsatisfied lust.

We both know this can’t go where we want it to, and can’t seem to decide if that means we should stop or chase as much as possible before reality intervenes.

With incredible effort, we finally separate, breathing hard.

My lips sting in the best possible way from the spontaneousattack. My lungs take a moment to fill with air. Her smile, her eyes, her sweet spirit… she’s layers of human tracks forming the most perfect song.

And she’s mine.

“Wow, computers really turn you on, don’t they,” I tease, because what else is there to say?

Totally worth it when I get a smack.

And another wild, messy kiss.

Callie makesme break for lunch, but as soon as I’ve shoveled down a few tacos, I’m back in my makeshift studio.

The diner chair in the corner provides an eerie audience while I work. There’s a weird chill in the room that’s turning that haunted object into a silent collaborator. My gaze keeps crossing to it like it knows something I don’t. I can’t help but wonder how many hours Luke has spent in here staring at it like he was when I found him the other day.

I’ve just finished setting up the framework for the song and doing one full take on keys when Luke pokes his head in. When he sees I’m not recording, he enters with Callie behind him.

“How’s it going?” he asks.

Any irritation at being interrupted yet againfades with his sincere interest. As usual, I try to play it cool so I don’t break the spell.

“Well, it’s been all of ten minutes, so not much to show so far. Basically got the tempo set and first midi track lined up. I did one pass with keys but I think I’m going to run it on guitar, too, and see what that sounds like. I could use some input. Do you have your ears?”

My tone is casual, but there’s nothing trivial about that question.

I hold my breath.

He hesitates.

Please, Luke.

I can’t even look at Callie.

His nod feels monumental. “Yeah, in my room. Just a sec.”

I release the air in my lungs as he takes off, still in disbelief this is happening. Maybe he’ll change his mind once he gets to his room and has more courage to break my heart.

Callie rounds the desk to hover beside me.

“So, Penchant for Red, huh?” she says nonchalantly while squinting at the DAW likethat’sher main concern.

My initial shock transforms into humor at my sneaky spy.

“Luke told you.”

She turns and leans against the desk to face me.

“Is there anything about you that isn’t going to make me swoon? What else is there? You also have a PhD in physics and founded a franchise of orphanages?”

I snort a laugh. “Swoon! There’s my old lady. Love it.”

What I don’t love? How distracted I am whenever she’s close.